Opinion:
¶ “Emerging Trends In The US In Microgrid Development And Deployment” • There are nearly 700 microgrids across the US, contributing less than 1% to the national electricity output. But microgrids are a key piece of the puzzle in America’s changing energy scene, because they bring stability and dependability, and they help the environment. [Microgrid Media]
Rooftop solar system (Vivint Solar, Unsplash)
¶ “Mid-Ohio Valley Climate Corner: Some Good News For The Climate In 2023” • We had compelling evidence of the urgency needed to address the climate crisis right before our eyes in 2023. But it is important also to note the progress in addressing the climate crisis and those affected by climate change this past year. [The Parkersburg News and Sentinel]
¶ “NM Governor Unaware That More Light Pollution Means More Crime: Jennifer Sensiba” • Recently, I came across a post by New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan-Grisham bragging on yet another poorly-executed government program. This time, she is sacrificing the state’s view of the stars at night for another cheap stunt. And it may increase crime. [CleanTechnica]
Light pollution (Joshua Tree National Park, CC-BY-SA 2.0)
¶ “The Failed NuScale Project Lets Utah Down – Again” • Early last month, NuScale made headlines by canceling its proposed 462-MW small modular nuclear reactor at the Idaho National Laboratory. Here in Utah, the news was met with little surprise. In 2015, the NuScale project was eight years out. In 2022, it was still eight years out. [The Salt Lake Tribune]
Science and Technology:
¶ “Electric Cars Powered By Sodium-Ion Batteries Go On Sale In China” • Sodium-ion batteries have one advantage over most batteries in current EVs: They don’t contain lithium. Their down side is that they have roughly half the energy density of lithium-ion batteries, which means shorter range. China is a good market for low priced, no frills cars. [CleanTechnica]
EV event (Farasis Energy via CnEVPost)
¶ “New Technology Promises More Efficient Solar Cells And Faster Miniaturization Of Electronics” • A team of scientists at the University of Ottawa say they can make the first back-contact micrometric PV cells. The cells, with a size twice the thickness of a strand of hair, have significant cost and efficiency advantages over conventional solar technologies. [CleanTechnica]
World:
¶ “Heat: The Silent Killer Stalking Australia’s Summer” • In an “urban heat island” near Sidney, it can be 10°C (18°F) hotter than in seaside suburbs, due to geography, lack of green spaces, and lots of heat-trapping surfaces. Heat is Australia’s “silent killer” because it’s deadlier than all other natural disasters combined yet leaves no visual clues of its scale. [BBC]
Walk on a hot day. (Jarritos Mexican Soda, Unsplash, cropped)
¶ “Volkswagen Group’s Elli Now Has 600,000 Charging Points” • An arm of Volkswagen Group, Elli continues to extend its EV charging infrastructure across Europe. It now has more than 600,000 charging stations in 27 different countries around Europe. This includes various networks that have joined the Elli collaboration. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Solar-Powered Truck Achieves World EV Altitude Record” • Gebrüder Weiss, a European logistics company, announced that the company’s Peak Evolution Team has achieved a remarkable feat: setting a new world altitude record for EVs. The team drove to the astonishing altitude of 6,500 meters (about 21,000 feet) above sea level on solar power. [CleanTechnica]
Solar-powered truck (Image provided by GW)
¶ “Climate Scientists Hail 2023 As ‘Beginning Of The End’ For Fossil Fuel Era” • Global efforts to slow runaway climate disaster may have reached a critical milestone as global carbon emissions from energy peak. A growing number of climate analysts believe that 2023 may be recorded as the year in which annual emissions start to decline. [The Guardian]
¶ “National Grid Announces Commercial Operations Of Viking Link – The World’s Longest Land And Subsea Interconnector” • National Grid’s new Viking Link electricity interconnector is operational moving power between the UK and Denmark. With a capacity of 1.4 GW, the link runs for 475 miles to join substations in the UK and Denmark. [National Grid]
Laying a cable (Energinet image)
US:
¶ “Winter Is Here, But It’s Losing Its Cool” • Winter is here, but for most of the US, it’s feeling less and less like it. Winter is warming rapidly because of human-caused climate change and it’s having an impact on snow, tourism, winter sports, local economies, dinner plates, and even allergies. Winter is warmer since 1970 in 97% of the spots tested. [CNN]
¶ “US DOE Finalizes The Efficiency Standards For Residential Refrigerators And Freezers, Closing Out Remarkable Year of Cost-Saving Progress” • The US DOE announced two energy-efficiency actions to save American households and businesses $5 billion per year on their utility bills, while cutting energy waste and carbon pollution. [CleanTechnica]
Kitchen (Courtesy of GE, via Best Buy)
¶ “Electric School Buses More Than Doubled In USA From March 2022 To June 2023” • The World Resources Institute said the number of electric school buses operating or delivered in the US rose from 598 in March 2022 to 1,285 in June 2023. The number that have been ordered or awarded funding nearly tripled in the same period. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Four US Rooftop Solar Trends In 2023” • Wood Mackenzie reported a 24% growth in installations through the first three quarters of 2023. Supply chain constraints of 2022 eased, and California had a big surge in installations, as customers looked to secure legacy NEM 2.0 rates. Here are four rooftop solar trends that pv magazine USA reported. [PV Magazine]
Have an overarchingly superb day.
geoharvey 
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